West Bengal takes steps to manage aftermath of Cyclone Phailin

Updated: Saturday, October 12, 2013, 12:39 [IST]

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Kolkata, Oct 11: West Bengal government has dispatched disaster management teams to coastal areas of the state to tackle the aftermath of cyclone Phailin which is set to hit neighbouring Odisha by tomorrow evening.

"We have dispatched several disaster management teams to the coastal areas of West Bengal including Diamond Harbour and Digha," Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan said.

Khan said a helpline is being opened at the state secretariat.

"We have also asked civil defence teams to reach the coastal areas to meet any eventuality," he said.

Cyclone Phailin which is set to hit neighbouring Odisha by tomorrow evening.

Cyclone Phailin, with a wind speed of 210-220 kmph, is turning into a super cyclone before making landfall tomorrow evening near Gopalpur in Odisha where the government has galvanised its machinery to deal with the impact and is evacuating people from low-lying and coastal areas.